Archive for the ‘Activities’ Category

Smart Money: Dollars and Sense

Friday, October 9th, 2009
Money in the Bank

Money in the Bank

Wisconsin’s 4th annual Money Smart Week kicks off October 10 and runs through October 17, 2009. All week, communities around the state will host activities to educate consumers on how to better manage personal finances.

Hundreds of organizations including banks, schools, colleges and libraries are offering approximately 500 free educational classes and seminars. They’ll cover topics such as easy ways to save money, travel tips for traveling on a budget, basic financial planning and budgeting tools. See Money Smart Wisconsin for classes and events in your area.

These money saving tips come at a crucial time as you work to beat the financial squeeze. Smart shopping strategies to stretch your dollar include using money saving coupons and gift certificates when you make purchases.

Here at RTownShopper.com, we’re helping families save money with hundreds of discount gift certificates to restaurants and businesses. Traveling? We’ve got travel discounts for 19 cities in Wisconsin. That means more money left in the piggy bank for you. That’s smart money, and it makes good sense too.

Have you attended any Money Smart Week events? Learn any great tips? Share them in the comments!

Autumn’s free show: Wisconsin Fall Colors

Thursday, October 1st, 2009
A tunnel of fall color on a rustic Wisconsin road

A tunnel of fall color on a Wisconsin rustic road

No matter how many times we’ve seen it before, the change of seasons from summer to fall is one of nature’s greatest shows in Wisconsin.

Highlights of rust and orange wash over the deep green of treetops across the state. Vibrant gold canopies line rustic roads and join overhead in a tunnel of color. The white steeples of country churches and stout red barns dot tall bluffs ablaze with color, overlooking brilliant valleys. Wisconsin’s many lakes mirror a hazy reflection of jewel-toned sky, birch, and maple alongside a stand of waving cattails. Then there’s the forest floor, where bright red sumac parades across golden yellow prairies, ferns and grasses take refuge under auburn oaks, and leaves crunch beneath your feet.

For the latest updates for fall colors, check out Travel Wisconsin’s fall color report. Communities around the state report peak color conditions, recommend scenic routes, and discuss local activities and happenings. Finish your free leaf-viewing tours with discount gift certificates from Rtownshopper.com. We’ll get you there with hotel travel coupons in 19 cities and numerous discount restaurant coupons for dinner and a “show.” Autumn’s show comes for free, but it’s here for just a short time before it’s gone.

Where’s your favorite place to view Wisconsin’s fall colors?

Washington County: One to watch

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Located just north of Milwaukee, Washington County is a northern gateway to Wisconsin’s largest city, but the area offers plenty of attractions of its own. Learn more on this week’s airing of Discover Wisconsin, a half hour travel show featuring hidden hamlets and surprising secrets from all over the Dairy State.

With easy access to metro Milwaukee, Washington County offers the perfect balance of small-town hospitality and fast-paced entertainment. For example, the show takes you to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford, Wisconsin’s largest auto museum. You’ll also see the Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum & Fire Hall in Germantown, which showcases a collection of over 5,000 bells in a restored 1870 barn. You’ll soar above it all in the Annual Hartford Balloon Rally, one of Wisconsin’s largest summertime balloon launches.

Discover Wisconsin promises you’ll want to experience Washington County for yourself, and when you do, consider our discount coupon for the AmericInn Lodge and Suites in Germantown.  This coupon deal saves you 50% off the price of a one-night stay, including free wireless high speed internet access, free breakfast, indoor heated pool, and hot tub.

See Discover Wisconsin for listings and show times, but don’t be a couch potato. Use the online travel discounts on RTownShopper.com to discover Wisconsin for yourself!

International Talent and Award-Winning Live Performances in Appleton

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

When it comes to entertainment there is a sensation about sitting in front of a stage that trumps the enjoyment garnered from the silver screen or digital media player. But it’s very rare to get the chance to see a live show that is renowned in the arts and entertainment section of the New York Times outside of the Big Apple.

Fortunately for those that can’t pack a weekend bag and fly to wherever these shows are, the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton Wis. hosts some of the greatest plays, concerts, comedians and performances from around the globe right here in Northeast Wisconsin.

This state-of-the-art facility opened its doors to a boastful crowd in 2002. Inside the $45 Million building is a 5,000 square foot stage where visitors from across Wisconsin, Upper Michigan and Illinois come to take in the world’s most beautiful ballets, Broadway’s greatest plays, comedians like Bill Cosby, and symphonies from history’s finest.

With a lineup that rivals big city theaters and concert halls, many shows at this Northeast Wisconsin treasure book months prior, so it’s best to plan everything from show times to lodging, dining and other activities early. This doesn’t need to be an expensive trip to see an amazing show. The discounted gift certificates from RTownShopper keep your entertainment budget-friendly.

RTownShopper offers 50% off rooms at hotels and resorts like Cambria Suites and Rustic Wolf Inn that are just miles from the spotlights and speakers of the Performing Arts Center,. For dining options from breakfast to late night cravings, our team has put together savings of up to 75% off hometown dinners like Blueberry Hill Pancake House, Hungry Howie’s Pizza and Queen Bee.

It’s time to make the move to see that live performance that keeps getting pushed off. Map those plans early with RTownShopper for huge savings and guilt-free enjoyments.

Getting Away On the WIOUWASH State Trail

Monday, July 27th, 2009

WIOUWASH Trail

One of Northeast Wisconsin’s outdoor gems is the WIOUWASH State Trail. Formerly a path of railroad ties and steel tracks, it has been transformed into a booming recreational trail named after the four Northeast Wisconsin counties it connects – Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca and Shawano.

The rural path runs through state wildlife areas, traverses tall grass prairies and crosses over multiple rivers. It is completely free to use and is popular for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing as well as horseback riding in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter.

The trail is separated into two sections and is just over 45 miles in total length with numerous places for visitors to park the car and jump on. The first section extends 22 miles from Oshkosh to Hortonville, passing by Neenah and Appleton. The south trailhead of this section starts near downtown Oshkosh where trail-goers can meet outside of the local boutiques, restaurants and salons to plan their adventure.

The second section takes WIOUWASH visitors from Aniwa to Split Rock and intersects the Mountain-Bay Trail which starts in Green Bay and moves west to Wausau. This 23-mile section crosses Shawano county and the communities Birnamwood, Eland, Wittenberg and Tigerton. The trail doesn’t stray far from State Highway 45 making it simple to get there and back.

When a break is needed from the hustle and bustle of the big city, a day trip on the quiet and picturesque WIOUWASH trail is a perfect fit. The nearly 50 miles of gravel path is always minutes from a place to rest or lodge and a restaurant to eat at, and RTownShopper has discounted gift certificates to keep it well under budget.

Fast Savings for the Northeast Wisconsin Gear Head

Monday, July 13th, 2009

It’s the sound of a big-block V8, the smell of racing fuel, and the sight of 600-hp, feather-light cars drifting around dirt corners that ignites a high-octane exhilaration in gear heads. For those who are not concerned with piston rings or tire pressure, the thrill comes from the sheet metal-crimpling crashes, as long as everyone walks away unscathed.

Regardless of why you enjoy watching it, circle track racing is an American favorite and one of Northeast Wisconsin’s premier racetracks is Shawano Speedway. Located on the Shawano County Fairgrounds, this half-mile dirt oval entertains fans every Saturday night from April to September with five divisions of racecars. Classes include the low-cost, crash-happy IMCA stock cars, chopped and customized IMCA modifieds, and the lighting quick, high-output IMCA late models.

Tickets at the gate are already reasonable, but RTownShopper has discounted gift certificates for two adult tickets or family-size packages to a mudslinging, heart-pumping evening at Shawano Speedway. Also, be sure to check out the deals RTownShopper has for Shawano, Wisconsin-area restaurants so you can fuel up before the engines roar and the green flag drops.

Watch the Sky Light Up in Northeast Wisconsin

Monday, June 29th, 2009

When the thought of an Independence Day celebration comes to mind, one thing is an absolute – fireworks. The bangs and pops, howls and crackles, flashes and shimmers accompanied by “America the Beautiful”, “God Bless America”, and “The Star-Spangled Banner” emboldens our patriotism in remembrance of our country’s history.

In Northeast Wisconsin a fascinating show in the sky can be found on or around July 4th in the big cities like Green Bay, Appleton and Oshkosh or the smaller communities like Omro or Two Rivers. Below is a listing of fireworks shows in the area to help you plan a perfect family-friendly celebration in Northeast Wisconsin.

Friday July 3

Appleton
Memorial Park @ Dusk
More Information

Door County – Egg Harbor
Harbor View Park @ Dusk
More Information

Ripon
Murray Park @ 9:15
More Information

Saturday July 4

Door County – Baileys Harbor
@ Dusk
More Information

Door County – Gills Rock
Gills Rock @ Dusk
More Information

Door County – Washington Island
Ball Park @ Dusk
More Information

Fond du Lac
Lakeside Park @ 9:15
More Information

Green Bay
Downtown @ 9:45
More Information

Hilbert
Civic Park @ 10:00
More Information

Manitowoc
Lakefront @ Dusk
More Information

Menasha
Jefferson Park @ 9:30
More Information

Neenah
Riverside Park @ 9:30
More Information

Omro
Scott Park @ 9:15
More Information

Oshkosh
Menominee Park @ 9:45
More Information

Princeton
City Park @ 9:15
More Information

Sturgeon Bay
Sunset Park @ Dusk
More Information

Two Rivers
Walsh Field @ Dusk
More Information

Waupaca
Shadow Lake @ 9:30
More Information

Winneconne
Wolf River @ 9:45
More Information

Sunday July 5

Door County – Fish Creek
Clark Park @ Dusk
More Information

Kimberly
Sunset Park @ Dusk
More Information

Keeping the Kids Entertained This Summer in Northeast Wisconsin

Friday, June 26th, 2009

It’s June and the final school bell for the year has chimed. There is nothing like being a kid and looking forward to sleeping in and moseying around the house for days on end. As you know, the first few days without homework are nothing but exciting, but it’s certain that the boredom is bound to set in. You can name a laundry list of things for your kids to do, but they’ve been there, done that and nothing seems to be appealing enough. So to help quell the monotony of those summer routines and to save you money, the team at RTownShopper has created a location for you to find discount gift certificates and deals on summer activities for your kids to look forward to during the week and on the weekends.

RTownShopper has kids activities that will teach, entertain and socialize your child while you save money. Who knows, this could be the summer that your child finds his or her niche in music or wins the summer league at the local bowling alley. Believe it or not your city has many things that your child can enjoy and look forward to during this summer break that won’t break the bank.

Also remember to treat yourself this summer. We have got deals for restaurants, a day at the spa, something for your home and garden, and hotels to spend the weekend. You can do even more this summer when your planning starts with a visit to RTownShopper.